Beasts in the Sun is an Unreal Engine-based action-adventure game developed by Animo Pron, heavily inspired by titles like Tomb Raider. The Episode 1 Supporter v8.1 (often referred to as v8) is a comprehensive update that refines survival mechanics, exploration, and character customization for supporters. Core Gameplay & Premise

Protagonist & Setting: You play as Tara, who survives a catastrophic shipwreck and must navigate a mysterious archipelago in the Indian Ocean filled with ancient ruins and bunkers.

Survival Mechanics: The game emphasizes exploration and physical interaction. Supporters in v8 have access to expanded survival elements, including reworkings of climbable lianas and improved triggers for water and lighting effects.

Action & Puzzles: Gameplay involves solving environmental puzzles, climbing massive structures (like the Minotaur statue), and utilizing weapons like the Magnum pistol to deal with threats. New Features in Supporter v8/v8.1

This version focuses on "quality of life" improvements and expanded visual fidelity: Feature Category Key Updates in v8/v8.1 Character Customization

Added black makeup options, eye iris saturation settings, new tattoos, and expanded slider limits for muscle and breast shapes. Supporter Exclusives

Ability to remove the amulet in the Gallery to access "dickgirl" (futa) transformations. Added a "Horse" type futa cock for supporters. Technical Fixes

Reworked Magnum pistol ADS and reload animations; fixed a bug allowing multiple accessories to be worn at once. World Interaction

You can now revive defused fire torches and interact with improved climbable lianas featuring on-screen "Use" widgets. Visual Effects

Fixed "Dirt and Sand" masks for the character's face and body, ensuring these effects are now visible in the inventory screen as well. Supporter-Specific Quality of Life

Enhanced Photomode: Supporters can now control Tara's vertical position and use their actual game resolution for shots, which are saved directly to the user's "Pictures" folder.

Collectibles: The update introduced 12 collectible cards hidden across four different zones, which will eventually be moved to a dedicated "Collectables" inventory tab.

Physics Improvements: Includes improved ragdoll physics for Tara and fixes for "jiggle" physics after ragdolling.

The game is currently ongoing, with developers recently confirming that Episode 2 is in development and expected to be significantly larger than the first.

Beasts in the Sun Ep. 1 Supporter v8 by Animo Pron introduces significant content expansions, including an extended Minotaur statue section, a shooting range with new scenes, and enhanced mechanics like horse ramming, clothing color customization, and a dynamic wet/dirt system. The update also resolves numerous bugs related to character materials and camera-fade, with further developments for Episode 2 planned for 2025/2026. For detailed change logs, visit the r/beastsinthesun Wiki.

4. Supporter-Only Commentary Track

A hidden gem in this release is the audio commentary layer, accessible through the video player. The creators at Animo New walk viewers through key scenes, explaining cut content, design choices, and hints for future episodes. This is a major draw for hardcore fans invested in the lore.

What Does "V8" Mean?

Version 8. This is not a minor patch; it is the eighth major iteration of Episode 1. While V1 through V4 were animatics and storyboards, V5 introduced color grading. V6 added particle effects (sandstorms, heat shimmer). V7 refined the character rigging. V8 is the first "feature-complete" narrative build.

According to Animo New’s development logs, V8 took over six months to render. Key upgrades include:

• 4K texture mapping for the main Beasts (the "Sun Hound" and "Obsidian Wyrm").
• Dynamic lighting that changes as the in-universe sun moves across the scene.
• Real-time fur and scale physics using custom-built plugins.
• Remastered audio: A new LFE (low-frequency effects) track specifically for the beasts' roars.

If you watched the public teaser and thought, "This looks good, but the shadows feel flat," the V8 Supporter version is your answer.

Conclusion: Why V8 Is the Definitive Way to Experience Episode 1

In the crowded space of indie animation, Beasts in the Sun EP1 Supporter V8 by Animo New stands out as a labor of love, community collaboration, and technical artistry. It respects its audience enough to ask for support—and rewards that support with a version of the episode that feels complete, cinematic, and emotionally resonant.

Whether you’re a longtime fan or a newcomer curious about the buzz, V8 is the perfect entry point. Just bring water. The sun is eternal, and the beasts are waiting.

Ready to watch? Head to Animo New’s official supporter hub to access Beasts in the Sun EP1 Supporter V8 today. Don’t forget to join the Discord community for live watch parties and Q&A sessions with the creators.

Beasts in the Sun is an action-adventure, open-world survival game developed by Animo Pron that has gained significant attention for its high-fidelity visuals and mature content. Inspired by the Tomb Raider series, the game places players in the role of Tara, a survivor stranded on a mysterious archipelago in the Indian Ocean after her ship capsizes. The "Supporter v8" version marks a major milestone in Episode 1, refining core gameplay mechanics while expanding the narrative and world-building. Core Gameplay and World

Developed using Unreal Engine 4, the game focuses on exploring lush, perilous environments, solving intricate puzzles, and navigating ancient tombs.

Exploration: Players must navigate dense jungles and investigate mysterious bunkers and structures shrouded in secrets.

Survival & Combat: The archipelago is home to hostile creatures that require players to use their wits and a variety of weaponry, including improved gun mechanics introduced in recent updates.

Platforming: A central aspect of the gameplay involves climbing high structures, such as a massive Minotaur statue, which serves as a major landmark in the final sections of Episode 1.

Customization: The "Supporter v8" update introduced deeper character customization, including eye color sliders and a dynamic system for body effects like wetness, dirt, and sand. Key Features of Supporter v8

The v8 update (specifically v8.1) addressed numerous technical issues and added features tailored for dedicated supporters:

Expanded Content: Episode 1's ending was extended, including the Minotaur statue section and a dedicated Gallery mode with three unlockable environments.

Enhanced Mechanics: The update reworked climbable lianas with better UI prompts and improved Tara's ragdoll and "jiggle" physics for more realistic movement.

Shooting Range: A new Shooting Range mode allows players to test their skills with various firearms, offering specific challenges and bonuses.

Bug Fixes: Extensive fixes were implemented for item collection, aiming down sights (ADS) with the Magnum pistol, and lighting issues caused by level triggers. Future Development: Episode 2

As of early 2026, developer Animo Pron is actively working on Episode 2, which is expected to be significantly larger than the first. Anticipated features include new locations, further exploration under the ocean, and a "special edition" that may include physical items such as maps and 3D figures.

For more information, visit the official r/beastsinthesun subreddit or check the v8 changelog on Reddit.

What’s Next After EP1 Supporter V8?

With V8 now live, the spotlight shifts to Episode 2. In recent development logs, Animo New confirmed that pre-production on EP2 is 60% complete, and they aim to release a Supporter V1 of Episode 2 by Q3 of next year. Meanwhile, a “V9” of Episode 1 is not currently planned, but the team left the door open for a 4K remaster if support continues to grow.

Additionally, a behind-the-scenes mini-doc titled Making the Beasts: From V1 to V8 is slated for release exclusively to Supporter V8 owners. This documentary will feature raw sketches, failed animation tests, and the original voice auditions.

What Is "Beasts in the Sun"?

Before diving into the specifics of EP1 Supporter V8, it’s crucial to understand the source material. Beasts in the Sun is an animated series project that blends dark fantasy, post-apocalyptic survival, and anthropomorphic character design. Set in a scorched, eternal summer where the sun never sets, the story follows a pack of hybrid "beasts"—half-human, half-animal—struggling for dominance, resources, and identity.

The series is notable for its hand-drawn aesthetic, mature themes, and a soundscape that ranges from haunting ambient tracks to pulse-pounding action sequences. Unlike mainstream studio productions, Beasts in the Sun operates on a supporter-based model, meaning dedicated fans fund the project through platforms like Patreon, Ko-fi, or direct memberships.

1. Extended Runtime

Where the public version of Episode 1 clocks in at around 12 minutes, the Supporter V8 runs for nearly 19 minutes. The extra footage includes deeper character introductions, a flashback sequence explaining the sun’s eternal burn, and an extended fight between the protagonist, Kaelen (a wolf-like beast), and the scavenger clan leader.

Sequence 2: The Oasis Standoff (00:09:22 - 00:13:00)

Original: Two Beasts circle each other. Animation feels slightly stiff. V8 Supporter Version: Gait cycles have been completely re-rigged. The Sun Hound now drools molten saliva that sizzles on the ground. The Obsidian Wyrm’s tail whip creates a shockwave that distorts the image (a post-processing effect exclusive to V8). Additionally, a new secondary character—a scavenger bird called a "Vulture-Kin"—has been added to the background, foreshadowing Episode 2.